The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Inside: Three Lorain County men accused of trafficking drugs
Three Lorain County men were arrested Aug. 14 after police say they trafficked illegal drugs, according to an Elyria police news release.
Brandon L. Williams, 24, of Elyria, was charged with trafficking in heroin and possession of heroin, both second-degree felonies.
Nicholas R. Latorre, 22, of Lorain, was charged with three counts of trafficking heroin, a fourth-degree felony.
Javae A. Vargovich, 20, of Lorain, was charged with two counts of aggravated trafficking in drugs, a fourth-degree felony, and trafficking in cocaine, a fifth-degree felony.
Beginning in May, detectives from the Lorain and Elyria police narcotics units initiated a drug-conspiracy investigation into three suspects dealing heroin, fentanyl and cocaine in Elyria and Lorain, according to the release.
Detectives identified the three suspects during the course of the investigation, the release said.
Williams and Latorre previously were convicted as the result of a Lorain police investigation into the
criminal street gang “Dirty 30,” the release said.
As a result of the investigation, Lorain Count Common Pleas Court Judge D. Chris Cook and Common Pleas Judge Raymond J. Ewers authorized search warrants to Elyria and Lorain police, according to the release.
These locations were utilized by members of this organization to sell and store drugs and money, the release said.
The Elyria Police Special Response Team and Lorain Police SWAT Team executed search warrants at Williams’ home in the 100 block of David Drive in Elyria; Latorre’s residence in the 1700 block of East 30th Street in Lorain; and the most recent home of Vargovich in the 1600
block of East 36th Street in Lorain, according to the release.
Detectives seized 35 grams of fentanyl, heroin and cocaine that has a street value of $7,000, the release said.
Detectives also seized several thousand dollars, drug scales and packaging materials used in connection of the sale and distribution of illegal drugs, the release said.
All three men were taken to Lorain County Jail.
Latorre is being held on a $150,000 bond; Williams on a $100,000 bond; and Vargovich on a $250,000 bond.
Latorre and Williams must appear at 2 p.m., Aug. 22, before Elyria Municipal Court Judge Robert C. White.
Vargovich’s court date has yet to be posted.
Both the Elyria and Lorain Police Narcotics Units will continue to work together to aggressively pursue and arrest violent criminals in the community that are responsible for the sale and distribution of dangerous drugs, the release said.
Beginning in May, detectives from the Lorain and Elyria police narcotics units initiated a drugconspiracy investigation into three suspects dealing heroin, fentanyl and cocaine in Elyria and Lorain, according to the release.